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Monday, March 4, 2013

Jubilee

Good morning! Today is the first day of week nine, reading the Bible through in a year together. Our scriptures this week are:

Leviticus 24-25; Hebrews 9; Psalm 81

Lev 26-27; Heb 10; Psalm 112

Numbers 1-2; Heb 11; Psalm 64

Num 3-5; Heb 12

Num 6-7; Heb 13

Leviticus 25 is all about redemption. God was aware of the human tendency to get ourselves in trouble when we fall on hard times. Poor decisions lead to worse decisions and, in ancient times as in the modern day, people find themselves desperate for cash. In Old Testament times, people would sell themselves into indentured servitude in order to pay their debts. Yet, God's Word was clear that they should not be treated as slaves, but as hired workers. Leviticus states that their time of servitude had a limit; the family would not be in bondage forever. Every fifty years, all debts would be forgiven and all slaves would be set free. In fact, even land "purchases" weren't really purchases but rentals--for every fifty years, on the year of Jubilee, all land would revert back to its original owner.

This was God's way of equalizing things, of leveling the playing field so that the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer couldn't continue for generations upon generations. Today, we recognize that Jesus is our Jubilee. He is the one who makes us all equal. He sets us free from bondage and clears our spiritual debt to God. The good news is that you don't have to wait fifty years in order to see His liberation. You can know it today, just by trusting Him as your Savior.

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Why Is My Blog Called "Love the Word?"

So I was finally convinced to move into the 21st century and start a blog. What to name it?I've never liked those corny preacher-related email addresses like praisethelordimsavedandpreachingforjesus@hotmail.com. (My apologies if that's a real email address.) They seem disingenuous (isn't that a great word? According to the rhymezone.com dictionary it means "not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness.) I'd rather have a title for my blog that says what it is, and means it.

Then it hit me. "Love The Word." What could be more authentic, bona fide, genuine, literal, real, sincere, true, unveigned, unquestionable, and veritable than that?

I Love The Word.This can mean more than one thing, of course.

The Book of John, chapter 1 (NLT) says of Jesus:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. So it's quite obvious, isn't it? I love The Word--Jesus Himself, without whom there would be no you, no me, no blog for that matter.

But my blog title means something else as well. I love the word. My kids call me a 'word nerd.' I love words. I love what you can do with them--the impact they can make on people's lives. I love the history of words, both in English and in the other languages I've studied (Latin, Spanish, Greek). As a pastor, I use words as I preach every week, to try to impart the truth of The Word--Jesus. As a writer, I use words to share ideas, entertain, and inspire. So, as a typical 'word nerd' I had to come up with a blog title that truly embodied my affinity for both the Logos and the phrase.

On this blog you'll find my random thoughts. You'll also find a link to "Spirit and Truth," a weekly column I write for the southern Virginia newspaper, The Southside Messenger. In addition, you're likely to find various musings on some of my favorite topics including writing, family, the Christian life, and more. Thanks for stopping in. My hope is that you'll love the word as much as I do.

This Day in History

About Me

I am the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Scottsburg, Virginia, and have been in ministry over half my life.
I have been published in several newspapers, and write a weekly column entitled "Spirit and Truth" in The Southside Messenger, which has a circulation in southside Virginia.
I have four beautiful children and three wonderful grandbabies, some of whom live with me.